Tigers' Craft hopes team can build on its success

Saturday night, the Memphis Tigers make their first appearance in the Bluff City since winning the Miami Beach Bowl against BYU.

The Tigers open their season at home led by a bevy of talent including Sam Craft, a former Olive Branch quarterback who has blossomed at both wide receiver and running back for the Tigers.

Craft, whose father Ray is a former Tiger, has had success both running and catching the ball with 438 yards on the ground and 424 in the air in his two year career at the U of M.

Craft hopes his numbers on the field equate to big numbers in the stands as Memphis strives to join college football's upper echelon.

"It means so much to me, because I was a fan," Craft said. "I was one of those people who wanted to see Memphis on top. When I got offered to go here, I kind of made my mind up, like, 'this is the school I want to go to.' I mean, it's a dream school for me because I am from the city and my dad played here. So why not take the chance and try to change the program around?"

The Tigers open their season Saturday night at 6 p.m. against Missouri State at the Liberty Bowl.